"One's this--was the fifty pounds paid for information?
If so, and Bryce has that information, why doesn't he show his hand more plainly?
If he bribed Collishaw with fifty pounds: to tell him who Braden's assailant was, he now knows!--so why doesn't he let it out, and have done with it ?" "Part of his game--if that theory's right," murmured Mitchington.
"It mayn't be right," said Jettison.

"But it's one.

And there's another--supposing he paid Collishaw that money on behalf of somebody else?
I've thought this business out right and left, top-side and bottom-side, and hang me if I don't feel certain there is somebody else! What did Ransford tell us about Bryce and this old Harker--think of that! And yet, according to Bryce, Harker is one of our old Yard men!--and therefore ought to be above suspicion." Mitchington suddenly started as if an idea had occurred to him.
"I say, you know!" he exclaimed.

"We've only Bryce's word for it that Harker is an ex-detective.

I never heard that he was--if he is, he's kept it strangely quiet.